October 1 Ukulele Jam

Greetings, ukulele fans!

Exactly four years ago today, nine ukulele players met for the first time at the Kingston School of Music. This was the beginning of the regular ukulele jams of the Kingston Ukulele Society. We've had our ups and downs (as described in my previous blog posting), but the jams continue, stronger than ever, thanks to you, the devoted ukulele players of Kingston! This Saturday, we resume doing performances with a 25 minute gig at the Sustainable Kingston KingstonFest, 11:30am, at St. Lawrence College.

But now it's time for the first ukulele jam of our fifth year, this Wednesday, October 1, at the Royal Tavern. We'll start with a workshop at 7:00pm. After the break, we'll resume at 8:00pm with our usual open jam. We'll continue to practice our proposed repertoire for KingstonFest, and narrow it down to six or seven songs. These songs should appeal to everyone, even if you cannot join us for the performance. (However, the more ukulele players we get for Saturday, the better!) As usual, you'll have your chance to show off the songs you're practicing, or lead the group in your favorite songs. If the latter, be sure to bring copies. Or if you like, you can just sit back and strum along.

Here are the PDF's for the proposed repertoire:

• KingstonFest Repertoire
• Ukulele Lady
• Happy

We jam in the Royal Tavern, 344 Princess Street. Parking is normally available on Princess Street. Or park in the lot at the back of the Royal, off Brock Street, just past the fire hall. Be sure to show your appreciation to the Royal by visiting the bar and purchasing a beverage or two. Don't forget that they also offer soft drinks, in addition to their assortment of beers and other alcoholic drinks.

Cheers! Hans

Four Years of Uke Jam in Kingston

In the winter of 2010, Sylvana and I decided to move from Toronto to my hometown, Kingston. I knew I'd miss a few things about Toronto, especially the weekly Corktown Ukulele Jam. I decided that if Kingston didn't already have a regular ukulele jam, it would certainly have one once I got settled there. An so on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, nine ukulele players met for the first time at the Kingston School of Music. A few weeks later, we came up with the name "Kingston Ukulele Society".

For the first few months, attendance averaged about six or seven people. But we always had a problem scrounging for chairs and music stands. By the spring, interest started to grow a bit, and we were able to meet at the RCHA Club, which at the time was a popular venue for music.

Unfortunately, over the summer, several of our regulars moved away. Furthermore, the RCHA moved us from Wednesday evening to Monday evening. Attendance fell, and we changed to a once a month schedule. By the summer of 2012, I was ready to pack it in.

But then one of our former regulars returned. I decided to continue, but only if we could find a new venue and return to Wednesday evenings. He recommended the Royal Tavern, which came as a bit of a shock considering that bar's reputation. Some of us checked out their "back room", and we agreed that it would be an improvement over the RCHA. We would have easy parking, either on Princess Street or at the back. And we wouldn't have to take an elevator.

What a difference that made! Attendance started to pick up again. By the spring of 2014, we were back to a twice monthly jam. And we introduced a beginner's workshop to start out the jam, which has also proven popular.

Interest in ukulele in the general area has also increased. There are now monthly jams in Sydenham and Napanee.

What's next for the Kingston Ukulele Society? During our first year, we did a couple of performances at the RCHA and one at the Mug and Truffle, which were well received. When attendance started to flag, during 2012, we stopped doing performances. While attendance picked up once we were at the Royal, monthly jams made it difficult to practice repertoire. However, in early October, we're back on stage with a 30 minute performance at the Sustainable Kingston KingstonFest.

My next goal is to put together a group of ukulele players from the ranks of regular jam attendees who are willing to commit to regular practice sessions in addition to the twice monthly jams, for the purpose of public performances. The primary goal of such a group would be to have fun making music while entertaining audiences. I'm not looking for great ukulele players, just players willing to make a commitment, and wanting to have fun.

Cheers! Hans

September 17 Ukulele Jam

Greetings, fans of the Hawaiian four-string chordophone!

The last jam of the summer is this week, on Wednesday, September 17, at the Royal Tavern. The days are getting cooler. But we can still keep warm playing the ukulele and singing our favorite songs.

The jam begins at 7:00pm with a beginners' workshop. After the break, we'll resume with our usual open jam, where you can demonstrate that song you've been practicing. Or lead the group. Or just sit back and strum along. Since the KingstonFest event is coming up, we will continue to practice the proposed repertoire, and pare down the list to fit a 30 minute set. If you haven't yet committed to joining us on Saturday October 4, please do. The more ukulele players, the better. But do indeed come to the Wednesday jam even if you can't attend the event.

And as usual, please bring along copies of your favorite songs. It's always great to learn new songs from others.

We jam in the Royal Tavern, 344 Princess Street. Parking is normally available on Princess Street. Or park in the lot at the back of the Royal, off Brock Street, just past the fire hall. Be sure to show your appreciation to the Royal by visiting the bar and purchasing a beverage or two. Don't forget that they also offer soft drinks, in addition to their assortment of beers and other alcoholic drinks.

One other event coming up soon: The Kingston Sing-along Society holds its first session on Friday, October 3, 7:30-9:30pm at 206 Concession Street. Instruments, including ukulele, are welcome. This will give you a chance to jam with a variety of other musicians, as well as sing some great traditional folk songs. This should be a lot of fun, and hopefully will be a regular monthly event.

Cheers! Hans

September 3 Ukulele Jam

Greetings, ukulele fans!

It's now September, and the kids will soon be back in school. And it's time for another ukulele jam!

We'll start at 7:00pm this Wednesday, September 3, with a workshop. Following the break, we'll resume with our usual open jam at 8:00pm, where you'll have your chance to present or lead the group with your favorite songs. We'll also continue practicing songs in preparation for the October 4 KingstonFest event, songs which should also appeal to those not participating in the event. These songs include those in the proposed repertoire (download). In addition, I propose adding the classic song Ukulele Lady.

We jam in the Royal Tavern, 344 Princess Street. Parking is normally available on Princess Street. Or park in the lot at the back of the Royal, off Brock Street, just past the fire hall. Be sure to show your appreciation to the Royal by visiting the bar and purchasing a beverage or two. Don't forget that they also offer soft drinks, in addition to their assortment of beers and other alcoholic drinks.

Cheers! Hans